Boca Raton FL vs Hayward CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
Hayward, CA
California · Population: 159,201
- Median HH Income$113,775
- Median Home Price$847,838
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boca Raton
98,833
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 38.2 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 77.2% | 19.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 9.0% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Hayward
$44,613
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Hayward
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $44,613 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 9.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 32.6% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Boca Raton +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Hayward
57.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $847,838 | Boca Raton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 57.0% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Hayward
24.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Hayward
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Hayward
10.8%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 24.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 16.8% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.8% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Hayward
18.0 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 36.7 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while boca Raton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $562,670. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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